Grateful Thinking (besides the Fare Thee Well show)
How often do we pause and think about what we are grateful for in our lives?
I have been actively trying to start my days off with this notion, but oftentimes I get caught up in the routine of life (as most of us do) that I lose sight of of the very basic things that I should be grateful for every single day, or at least reflect upon more often.
When my brother and I were younger, my mom had a special journal that we would write in from time to time and list what we were grateful for. No one could go back and read your "grateful's," they were yours…and yours alone to write down. As a child, you are grateful for the most simplistic things we often let pass by.
I am 100% sure that my list consisted of; dogs, macaroni and cheese, michael jordan, basketball, my parents, my brother (sometimes) and sour cream. In summation, I was a very complex child.
Obviously, later in life, when I saw more of the world (which in itself was a privilege), I became more aware of very basic things in my life that others do not have the opportunity to enjoy. For instance, being literate. To be able to read and write…is more than something to be grateful for. It is a gift we are given. To be given the opportunity to get an education, let alone a college degree is something so basic, yet often overlooked in our society. The teachers that I had along the way, whom made it thoroughly enjoyable to learn, were the ones who saw to it that I succeed in life…or at least they tried their very best to do so.
Recently, my Mom discovered that she needs to have a surgery that would leave her debilitated and vulnerable for some time and I got to thinking about internally what I am grateful for. Being grateful for your heart is easy when you realize your heart pumps blood to all parts of your body. It gives you the ability to heal. But, it's easy to lose sight of the basic function of the heart because sometimes…it just hurts and you hate the fact that your heart has to feel.
Someone told me when I was going through a rough time was to "just allow yourself to feel." Feel every bad feeling, heartbreak, happiness, longing, scared feeling," you will come out more grateful on the other side when these feelings have settled down.
Being grateful for these relationships that make you feel is sometimes a struggle, but oftentimes they are beyond beautiful. I am a thorough believer that every single person I meet in my life has showed me (or will show me), taught me (or will teach me) or made me feel for a reason. I am undoubtedly grateful for these people. As much as the heart sometimes hurts…it feels that good, as well.
(Note: even though I am a hypocrite when saying this, but you have to allow people to take care of you, it will be highly beneficial. Also, I am extremely grateful for you.)
Some things/people I wanted to mention, as well…but this is not a complete list, nor will it ever be:
I have been actively trying to start my days off with this notion, but oftentimes I get caught up in the routine of life (as most of us do) that I lose sight of of the very basic things that I should be grateful for every single day, or at least reflect upon more often.
When my brother and I were younger, my mom had a special journal that we would write in from time to time and list what we were grateful for. No one could go back and read your "grateful's," they were yours…and yours alone to write down. As a child, you are grateful for the most simplistic things we often let pass by.
I am 100% sure that my list consisted of; dogs, macaroni and cheese, michael jordan, basketball, my parents, my brother (sometimes) and sour cream. In summation, I was a very complex child.
Obviously, later in life, when I saw more of the world (which in itself was a privilege), I became more aware of very basic things in my life that others do not have the opportunity to enjoy. For instance, being literate. To be able to read and write…is more than something to be grateful for. It is a gift we are given. To be given the opportunity to get an education, let alone a college degree is something so basic, yet often overlooked in our society. The teachers that I had along the way, whom made it thoroughly enjoyable to learn, were the ones who saw to it that I succeed in life…or at least they tried their very best to do so.
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." BuddhaRegardless of when we are going through rough times (like those times us 20-somethings question what the fuck we want to do with our lives and constantly avoid looking at our checking accounts due to a minimal paycheck and over-zealous drinking habits) and no matter how bad your situation is, there are thousands of things to always be constantly grateful for and millions of people that are much worse off than you (even if it is hard to see so).
Recently, my Mom discovered that she needs to have a surgery that would leave her debilitated and vulnerable for some time and I got to thinking about internally what I am grateful for. Being grateful for your heart is easy when you realize your heart pumps blood to all parts of your body. It gives you the ability to heal. But, it's easy to lose sight of the basic function of the heart because sometimes…it just hurts and you hate the fact that your heart has to feel.
Someone told me when I was going through a rough time was to "just allow yourself to feel." Feel every bad feeling, heartbreak, happiness, longing, scared feeling," you will come out more grateful on the other side when these feelings have settled down.
Being grateful for these relationships that make you feel is sometimes a struggle, but oftentimes they are beyond beautiful. I am a thorough believer that every single person I meet in my life has showed me (or will show me), taught me (or will teach me) or made me feel for a reason. I am undoubtedly grateful for these people. As much as the heart sometimes hurts…it feels that good, as well.
(Note: even though I am a hypocrite when saying this, but you have to allow people to take care of you, it will be highly beneficial. Also, I am extremely grateful for you.)
Some things/people I wanted to mention, as well…but this is not a complete list, nor will it ever be:
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle
- My Mom and Dad (and giving birth to me), without them, I would have no life.
- My Brother who taught me to be tough (for the first 18 years of my life) and for also being my rock (and soon to be Doctor!).
- My family (cousins, aunts/uncles...and all the craziness that goes along with them)
- My Grandma for never missing a single birthday or holiday.
- My Grandpa for teaching me every childhood song I could ever possibly want to know.
- My friends (the new and the old)
- My Aunt and Uncle for opening their home to me, allowing me to be part of their family as I continue to embark upon my East Coast living.
- Music. For making me sane.
- Yoga/Meditation…for making me a nicer and more present human being.
- My dogs
- My five senses…because without sight, hearing, smell, taste or touch, I couldn't enjoy the things/people from above.
- The Moon, the stars and the sun
- The books I read and will read
- Health
- My other Grandpa for allowing me to order at nice restaurants...pasta with melted cheese on it for about 12 years of my life
- My Step-Dad, for being one of the kindest people I have ever met in my life and his constant support
- Safety of living in a non-wartorn country
- The freedom to adhere to any religion or philosophy
- Having a roof over my head
- Breathing fresh air
- Growing up in Boulder, Colorado
- Laughter
- Art and the artists who continue to awe me.
- Mountains
- The Ocean
- Wild Animals
- Travel
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| This is my "I am so grateful for YOU," pose. Because I am. |
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